Meall nan Sleac

About Meall nan Sleac

Perched on the fringes of the Monadhliath, Meall nan Sleac is the sort of hill that exists primarily to test your gaiter seals. It offers grand views of the Cairngorms across the Spey Valley, provided you haven't disappeared waist-deep into a peat hag first.

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Did You Know?

• •The name translates from Gaelic as the 'hill of the slabs,' referring to the rocky outcrops found on its higher slopes. It forms a significant shoulder on the eastern approach to the Munro Geal Charn.
• •This area was once part of a vast hunting forest, and you'll still frequently spot red deer herds grazing the lower plateaus. The nearby Glen Banchor has a rich history of Highland clearances, visible in the atmospheric ruins of abandoned townships.
• •Most walkers treat this summit as a mere navigational hurdle or an appetizer on the way to the higher Munros. It sits at just over 800 meters, making it a respectable height that nonetheless gets lost in the Monadhliath's rolling grey seas.
• •The terrain here is a masterclass in the color brown and various shades of wet, typical of this undulating mountain range. It acts as a perfect vantage point to appreciate the sheer scale of the Spey valley and the massive Cairngorm plateau beyond.
• •The 'slabs' promised in the name are often buried under a thick, treacherous layer of sphagnum moss and misplaced optimism. By the time you reach the summit, you’ll likely have developed an intimate relationship with your local cobbler and a deep distrust of anything that looks like solid ground.